The future of accounting isn’t simply digital—it’s automated, intelligent, and shaped by professionals who understand both technology and its impact on clients. That vision was on full display in Munich, where 14 AGN NextGen delegates gathered for Phase 2 of the AGN AI & Automation Masterclass to present real automation projects designed for implementation within their own firms.
NextGen AI & Automation Masterclass Challenge
Each delegate was challenged to identify a meaningful, time-consuming internal process and design an AI-enabled solution to improve efficiency, staff experience or client service. Their presentations took place in front of a distinguished judging panel made up of:
- Dimitris Dimitriadis, Founder of TheFutureCats, futurist and innovation adviser.
- Nathan Davis, Digital Transformation Strategist at Luciuss Consulting.
- Krishna Jandhyala, CEO and Mahesh Sagi of JSS Pro, specialist in enterprise solutions and digital transformation.
- Humphrey Hart, Principal & AI Innovator from Gilligan Sheppard, New Zealand.
- Greg Montgomery, AI Executive in Media, Finance. Founder Montytec, New Zealand.
- Mahesh Sagi, Co-founder and Director of Digital Strategies at JSS Pro Hyderabad, India.
Together, they brought a formidable depth of expertise across accounting, automation engineering, applied AI, and organisational change.
Over two high-energy hours, delegates presented solutions ranging from automated onboarding and proposal generation to streamlined reporting workflows and document intelligence systems. The judges praised the cohort not only for their technical understanding but also for their grasp of cultural change, adoption risks and long-term value creation.
NextGen AI & Automation Masterclass Winners
The overall winner was Megan Healey of Ballards (Midlands, UK). Megan’s project impressed every judge with its commercial clarity, strong client-service rationale and thoughtful implementation plan. She translated a familiar operational bottleneck into a well-designed automation solution that balanced efficiency with firm culture and service quality. Her confident delivery and practical recommendations made her stand out as a future leader in technology-driven practice evolution.
Winning first prize feels great! My project focused on introducing AI to automate incoming mail and build a knowledge bank that can grow with the firm—creating a strong base for wider AI adoption. What made the workshop truly valuable was the constructive feedback and the chance to exchange ideas with others facing similar challenges. Those conversations gave me fresh direction and a lot of motivation. ”I’ve returned home with renewed momentum and a clearer vision for where I want to grow next in my role.” Megan Healey, Audit & Accounts Manager, Ballards, UK
Second place went to Felix Galkowski of MTG (Regensburg, Germany). Felix demonstrated strong technical capability and a deep understanding of process mapping, data flow and tool integration. His solution offered immediate firm-wide potential and reflected the increasing appetite for automation within German mid-tier practices.
Felix Galkowski commented, “I’m really proud to have won second prize for my project, which transformed a 10-day workflow into a streamlined, tech-driven process. The workshop discussions were incredibly energizing—they challenged my thinking and pushed me to refine my ideas even further. Meeting other NextGenners who are just as passionate about innovation was a real highlight. I’m excited to keep developing these ideas and look forward to the next AGN NextGen event.”
NextGen AI & Automation Masterclass Purpose
Held on the eve of the AGN World Congress 2025, the Munich session captured exactly what the Masterclass aims to achieve: developing young professionals who can lead real change, not just talk about it.
The message from our panel was clear: the firms that win the future will be those that empower their people to shape the AI journey—not simply react to it. This year’s cohort proved they are more than ready.
